Minnesota Wild leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov returned to practice Wednesday after a questionable hit last week left the forward with an upper-body injury.
Kaprizov was put on injured reserve and missed the Wild’s 3-2 shootout win Saturday against Washington.
Kaprizov was injured after being hit along the boards by Boston’s Trent Frederic midway into the second period of the Wild’s 3-2 victory over the Bruins on Jan. 6. Frederic was assessed a minor penalty for boarding but was not penalized further by the league.
Wild coach Dean Evason called it a “predatory hit.”
Evason said Kaprizov will play Friday against the visiting Anaheim Ducks “unless something unforeseen happens.”
Signed to a five-year, $45 million contract in September, Kaprizov has recorded team-best totals in assists (26) and points (40) in 32 games this season. His 14 goals are one shy of the club lead (Ryan Hartman).
Kaprizov, 24, won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season when he had 27 goals and 51 points in 55 games.
–Field Level Media